Howletts' Iconic Elephant Herd to Remain in Kent
Howletts Wild Animal Park, part of the Howletts Wild Animal Trust, has announced that its herd of 12 African elephants will remain at the park indefinitely.
Image Manzi & Oku, Howletts Wild Animal Park.
Whilst it was previously announced that the herd would leave Howletts and be rewilded to Africa, despite extensive efforts, the Trust and its Charity partners were unable to identify a suitable project that could accept this significant and close family of elephants.
With the herd's future at Howletts now confirmed, the Trust is turning its full attention to their welfare. To provide the best possible facilities and meet new and emerging guidelines for housing elephants in the UK, Howletts has submitted a planning application for a new elephant house and associated facilities to Canterbury City Council.
The new development includes a 3,300m² purpose-built elephant house and 10,000m² of additional outdoor habitat, bringing the total elephant space to 41,000m² (around 10 acres). It will also feature improved pools, wallows, dusting areas, outdoor shelters and large indoor sand areas, all designed by the Park's expert animal team.
The new facility will give the multi-generational herd greater flexibility to move between paddocks and express natural social behaviours – enhancing welfare while supporting the Trust's ongoing work with the European Endangered Species Programme.
The project also marks the creation of an expanded Elephant Village, where visitors can meet expert keepers and rangers, learn about each member of the herd, adopt an elephant, and donate to the project.
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Tony Kelly, Managing Director, Howletts Wild Animal Park, said: "This is the most significant investment in the history of our elephant programme, and it reflects our long-term commitment to the welfare of this incredible herd. Through elephant adoptions and donations, people can help create an outstanding new home for the herd while learning more about these remarkable animals and the conservation work they support."
Visitors can find out more during Summer Roar, including Elephant Week celebrations from 10th-16th August, with activities on World Elephant Day (12th August).
Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, is home to more than 390 animals across 52 species, including the UK's largest herd of African elephants. Ticket sales help fund both animal care and the Trust's wider conservation work.
• For more information and to book for Summer Roar, visit howletts.com
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